Still Kickin’

This week’s best bet is the monthly dance at the Camarillo Community Center on Saturday. Thanks to longtime organizers Dave and Esther Howells, this popular family-oriented event is the only local Parks and Recreation District country dance that still features live music.

After a dance lesson by the Howellses at 7 p.m., the seven-piece coed country band Last Call takes the stage.

Previous headliners at Santa Barbara’s Fiesta Days and K-HAY country radio’s Fourth of July Picnic, Last Call is a dancer-friendly group. With its penchant for strong harmonies, the band has attracted a local following. Expect a mix of current top-40 tunes and traditional pedal-steel country songs. Last Call visits Ventura County only every couple of months, so catch the band this weekend.

The Camarillo Community Center is at 1605 E. Burnley St. in Camarillo, 482-1996. $5 adults; $2.50 youth.

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In an age when school music programs are as rare as hen’s teeth, and most kids have never experienced the thrill of a close encounter with a musical instrument, it’s nice to know that we still have the California Old-Time Fiddlers Assn. Members gather twice a month to fan the flame of acoustic and amplified bluegrass, folk and country music.

In my book, this free afternoon of family-oriented entertainment beats, hands down, pulling weeds or doing the sports-fan, Sunday-afternoon, couch-potato number.

The magic happens from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Oak View Community Center, where people of all ages come to play instruments, jam, sing, perform, dance or just listen.

The group meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. Membership includes a newsletter. The center is at 18 Valley Road in Oak View; 646-1583 or 486-8744.

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Larry Dean, a superb singer-songwriter, usually performs in the San Fernando Valley, where he has kept a loyal following for two decades on the strength of his original songs (two fine independent CDs) and vocal styling.

But you can see him with his band, the Shooters, at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mixer’s. Dance lessons start at 7 p.m. Mixer’s is at 2381 Tapo St. in Simi Valley, 520-7787.

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If you’re new to country dancing and want an intimate, friendly place to get your line-dancin’, two-steppin’ feet wet, check out Cinnamon’s restaurant on Thursdays. The regulars are glad to tutor a tenderfoot, and there’s no spotlight on you. After dance lessons at 7 p.m., popular one-man band Raywood and the Unseen sings country selections from 8 to 11 p.m. for a mix of line and couples dancing.

The club is at 4815 Calle Alto in Camarillo; 388-1436.